Army declares war on new militant group

dimeji akinloye

May 10, 2016 7:11 PM

The army described the militants as economic terrorists, and said they will be treated as such.

Niger Delta Militants

The Nigeria Army has vowed to by all means necessary crush the the new Nigeria Delta militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which has carried out recent attacks on oil installations.

In a statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General Rabe Abubakar, the military said it is fully aware of the militants who have vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kidnap of expatriate workers in the Niger Delta region.

“The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) is not unaware of the emergence of a group in the Niger Delta region who have vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kidnap of expatriate workers in that region; it will not hesitate to deploy every available resources to deal decisively with any threats to economic lifeline of the nation.

“The military will employ all available means and measures within its rule of engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta or any other location and they will stand to regret the consequences of their actions," the statement said.

READ: APC pleads with Niger Delta Avengers

“While the military and other security agencies would continue to put in place more proactive measures within the creeks and other places to fish out those responsible for the heinous crime, it will remain focused and assure oil companies and law abiding community members of their safety and protection of their sanctity.

“The DHQ advises the community leaders, traditional rulers and the general public to cooperate with the security agencies to ensure the apprehension of the culprits for the interest of our great nation; as no individual or group interest is above national interest of this country,” the army said.

The militant group had in the last two weeks carried out various attacks on pipelines and other oil facilities belonging to the government and Chevron.

dimeji akinloye